Stomach bug in a 7 month old

[WillYouDoTheFandango]

My 7 month old has a stomach bug. He hasn't been sick but I've changed 7 watery pooey nappies since 2am and I've just heard another one. He's fine in himself and not phased by the bug at all. I know it's a bug a we've not eaten the same and I've got a mild case.

I'm getting conflicting advice about whether to starve him and give only milk or water, or whether to carry on as usual and just wait it out.

I'm not sure whether to ring the doctors or HV for advice. Anyone know what to do for the best.

[Scaredycat3000]

I rushed to the Doctors so many times with DS1 that by DS2 I had the list in my head of when it was time to go to the Doctors. If BF then just keep going with that, don't worry about food. If FF I don't know I wasn't. Defiantly important to keep them hydrated, if a vomiting bug 5/10 ml water every 10 min. But if you choose to starve, your baby has no idea why and will be very upset. So theory is hungry, upset and ill or full, happier and ill possibly for longer, you choose!
So my personal list last time DS2 was ill was,
Temp under 39.
If temp over 39 but responding to medication.
DS2 was happy and alert.
Lots of wet nappies.
There really isn't much the Doctors can do, or need to do if an otherwise healthy baby is pooing alot IYSWIM. I know that's not very nice.

DS2 had a very runny bum, I had changed it 5 times in an hour. DP was at work on nights and it was 2am I phoned him saying how it was so hard to keep the poo in the disposable nappy. He pointed out the washable nappies we used during the day would solve that problem, I did feel daft!

[WillYouDoTheFandango]

Thanks for the reply scardeycat I rang my doctors in the end. They have a policy of seeing babies under 1 if they have diarrhoea more than 6 times (his was 11 by then). He was in fine form unplugging machines and hanging off the doctor's stethoscope but at least he's been seen. I'm going to feed him and wait it out. Too much of a soft touch for anything else

[AmandinePoulain]

It sounds like what dd2 (1 next weekend) has

She's had diarrhoea since Friday, and she's had 3 vomiting episodes in that time. I thought we were over the worst yesterday but then she completely overflowed her nappy and covered me too. I took her to the GP yesterday afternoon and he just said that she seems to be coping with it, she doesn't look dehydrated and that there's a lot of it around. She isn't herself at all this morning, and she looks thinner to me .

I'm offering her bland food, like toast and rice cakes, plus plenty of water. She bf really well last night and this morning but doesn't want milk in the day.

She's got a runny nose and cough too which seems a bit unfair! And poor dd1 can't have her friend over today and go to the local funday like we'd planned

Lets hope they get well soon

[MultumInParvo]

Sounds like rotavirus if you fancy a read

[ShowOfHands]

There's no evidence whatsoever to suggest that a restricted diet or starvation will improve the situation or lessen the duration of the illness. They used to advise a bland diet (the BRAT diet) but know now it doesn't actually make a difference.

The most important thing is hydration and to keep going with regular fluids, breastmilk if you're still bfing is always the best thing for them. Otherwise, keeping an eye on hydration is the first port of call. In terms of food, you can offer and let them eat if they want. Whatever they fancy within reason as their own body will let them know if/when they're hungry. I did find with one of mine though that they couldn't tolerate dairy during/after a stomach bug. Only lasted a few days and is quite normal.

It's miserable having a small baby with a sickness or diarrhoea bug and you feel like you'll never see the end of it. And then suddenly they bounce back leaving you sleep deprived and wrung out.

[WillYouDoTheFandango]

Thanks everyone. He's still pooing and his bottom is raw but he's fine in himself. Still crawling around and beating me up like a madman. The good thing is he's not off his food at all (he eats like a gannet) and is actually taking an extra milk feed in the day so he's dealing with it really well. We got 7 hours solid sleep last night so I'm feeling good too!

[AmandinePoulain]

We went to a&e yesterday and spent the afternoon and evening in paeds admissions. She was lethargic, refusing to drink, vomiting and had dry nappies . I had to syringe dioralyte into her and when she perked up a bit they discharged us. I've got to get 700mls into her by tonight or go back, it's got to be sugary stuff like juice or dioralyte and unfortunately she's not keen so wish me luck!

[idiot55]

Sounds like rotavirus, hope he and you are better soon.

[idiot55]

Just read your other post.

If you can avoid all dairy for him, bugs thrive on milk etc and make them last longer

[WillYouDoTheFandango]

Good luck Amandine, your poor DD. That sounds dreadful I can't get diaorlite (sp?) into DS at all.

He won't drink much of anything else Idiot55 and the doctor told me to keep up his milk. I think it probably is prolonging it but he went 12 hours without milk overnight and seems to be fighting it off now.

[AmandinePoulain]

She wouldn't take it at first, I used a syringe in the hospital. I've put it in bottles today and she's taken it slowly - she's had 330ml through the day, plus by the time she goes to bed 4 breastfeeds in 24 hours, plus about 200ml water so I'm hoping that's enough. She's actually had a properly wet nappy tonight for the first time in days, and no diarrhoea since this time yesterday so fingers crossed we're passed the worst. The paediatrician we saw explained that after about 48 hours the infection has passed but at this age the gut inflammation can take up to 10 days to go down so the loose stools continue .

[WillYouDoTheFandango]

Fingers crossed she picks up now for you then. It's so worrying when they're so tiny. Although I'll still be like this when he's a strapping 25 year old

DS seems a bit better, hoping for a trip out to asda tomorrow (without him), am going stir crazy cooped up inside.

[AmandinePoulain]

I'm going mad too! Luckily dd1 was at a friend's today so at least I only had to entertain dd2 . If she stays well tomorrow I may try going out on Friday.